Building structure



Aug. 4, 1964 R. E. HART 3,143,194

BUILDING STRUCTURE Filed June 7, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. Rose-Apr Haer United States Patent O 3,143,194 BUILDING STRUC I ilhE Robert E. Hart, Peekslriil, N.Y., assignor to Designs for Recreation Areas, Inc., New York, NX., a corporation of Deiaware Filed June 7, 1960, Ser. No. '54,489 8 Ciaims. (Cl. 189-341) This invention relates to building structures and more particularly to a modular alternating pyramidal building structure.

Pyramidal structures are known to possess outstanding strength and stability, and it is an object of my invention to provide a building structure in which panels or framing members a re arranged to form alternating pyramidal shapes. It is another object of my invention to provide a structure which can be prefabricated with a minimum number of difierent parts.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a structure which can be assembled or disassembled by unskilled labor with a minimum of tools or equipment.

It is still another object to provide a structure which, when formed from panels, is self-supporting and requires no vertical framing for support.

Briefly, one embodiment of my invention is a wall formed of a plurality of triangular panels arranged in an extended row. One edge of each triangle is in an upper or lower horizontal plane, and each other edge of each panel abuts an edge of an adjacent panel. Panels are arranged in pairs, and each pair defines two sides of a triangular pyramid whose third side is perpendicular to its base.

Another embodiment of my invention is a wall formed of struts or framing members arranged to define adjacent triangular pyramids each having a base in a common plane wherein at least one edge of each base is common to an adjacent base.

Other objects and features may be inferred from the following description of specific examples of this invention, illustrated by the accompanying drawings in Which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular alternating pyramidal wall constructed of triangular panels;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a building constructed of triangular panels in alternating pyramidal shapes;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a portion of a curved modular alternating pyramidal wall;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view, partially broken away for purposes of clarity, of a double layer modular alternating pyramidal wall;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a curved double layer modular alternating pyramidal wall;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of panels and inner portions of a double panel section of modular alternating pyramidal wall; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a Wall constructed of struts arranged in modular alternating pyramidal shapes.

In a preferred embodiment of my invention, a wall is shown in FIG. 1 at 19. A series of identical triangular panels 11 are disposed between an upper plate 12 and a lower plate 13. Side edges 14 of adjacent panels 11 meet and are joined either permanently or temporaiily by any conventional fastening means, such as nails, bolts, screws, straps and bolts, plates and bolts, etc. (not shown). Base edges 15 of alternating adjacent pairs of panels 11 are fastened by conventional fastening means (not shown) either to the upper plate 12 or lower plate 13.

Triangular panels 11 may be of any size and proportion, depending upon the properties of materials employed and the use for which the structure is designed. Plywood panels are particularly appropriate for use in this kind of structure. In general, no panel should be so wide ICC in relation to its stiffness as to introduce the problem of local buckling.

As can be seen in FIG. l, the triangular upper plates 12 and lower plates 13 may in like manner be of any convenient size and constructed of any suitable building material. For example, an upper plate 12 may be a plywood panel sufliciently wide to cover base edges 15, and a lower plate may be a concrete foundation for a building or another plywood panel similar to the upper plate 12, depending on the desired permanence of the structure.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the triangular panels 11, taken in pairs with each pair having its base edges 15 in a common plane, define two sides of a triangular pyramid, whose third side is perpendicular to its base. The pyramids thus defined are arranged with their bases alternately in an upperrnost or lowermost position and coinciding alternately with the upper plate 12 or lower plate 13 respectively.

In order to determine the dimensions of a panel 11 in a straight wall, as in FIG. 1, a rectangular parallelepiped a-b-c-d-e- -g-h is constructed, in which the dimension a-c represents the desired width of the wall, and a-e represents the desired height. It is convenient to let a-d represent the maximum practical width of the particular building material from Which panels 11 are to be made. Each triangular panel 11 will then be of the dimensions of a triangle, a-d-g or g-d-f, which are equal in size but inverted and reversed relative to each other from the point of view of FIG. l.

In FIG. 2, a structure 16 is shown in which a modular alternating pyramidal roof 17 is suspended in a horizontal plane across the tops of spaced apart vertical walls 18 and 19. In order for outside edges Ed of the roof 17 to meet top edges 21 of the walls, the top edges 21 must be raised above the plane of top edges of a wall structure covered by a liat plate such as plate 12 in FIG. 1. Also, the outside edges 219 of the roof 17 will not be in a single plane perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the roof if the outside edges 213 meet the top edges 21.

In the building structure shown in FIG. 2, the roof or wall panels may be made of any suitable building material and may be fastened together by any conventional fastening means (not shown).

Curved walls may be constructed in similar fashion to straight walls, and in a curved wall having a single center of curvature, all triangular panels will be of equal dimensions. Iri FIG. 3, a portion of a curved wall 22 is shown, formed of triangular panels 23. The dimensions of each panel 23 are determined by constructing a trapezoidal solid similar to the parallelepiped construction for a straight wall. The bases of a trapezoidal solid would have the dimensions z'-j-k-l, as shown in FIG. 3. Sides i-k and j-l should both be segments of radii drawn from the center of curvature desired for the wall. The curve of the wall is then defined by the arcs whose chords are reprcsented by i-j or k-l.

If a wall consisting both of straight and curved sections is desired, the two different sections can be fitted together exactly if their height and thickness are equal. The thickness of a straight wall is exemplied by a-c in FIG. 1, and the thickness of a curved wall by i-k in FIG. 3. If those two dimensions and the height of the walls are equal respectively, the side edges of end triangular panels in each wall will have equal lengths and be at equal angles to the vertical and will therefore abut each other. The same rule applies to joining of two wall sections having dilferent centers of curvature.

A double paneled wall may be constructed by forming triangular panels 11 or 23 each of which consists of two single panels disposed parallel to each other and separated by suitable spacing means. For example, two ply- 3 wood panels may be separated by wooden framing members (not shown). Double walled triangular panels thus constructed are joined together to form a wall just a panels 11 and 23 in FIGS. 1 and 3 are joined.

In FIG. 4, another embodiment of a double paneled wall 24 is shown. The wall 24 is formed of two single paneled modular alternating pyramidal walls 25 and 26 arranged so that in a solid rectangular space m-n-o-p-qr-s t-u-v-w-y-x, where panels of a wall 25 define a pyramid m-n-o-q-t whose base m-n-O-q is in a lower plane, panels of the other wall 26 define a pyramid t-v-it/ x-q whose base t-v-w-x is in an upper plane.

Taking the rectangular space m-n-p-q-s-t-v-w as a modular unit, it can be seen from FIG. 4 that triangular panels m-q-t and m-t-v of wall 25 and triangular panels q-t-v and m-q-v of wall 26 define a tetrahedron m-q-t-v whose edges m-q, q-t, t-v, m-v, m-t, and q-v define six peripheral diagonals of a rectangular parallelepiped m-np-q-s-t-v-w, where the six diagonals are drawn so that each end of each diagonal is coterminous with an end of each of two other diagonals. For example, the end q of diagonal m-q is coterminous with q-t and q-v.

In FIG. 5, a modular unit of a curved double paneled Wall 27 is shown. In the case of a curved wall, the space occupied by each modular unit a'-b'-c'-d'-e'-f'-g'-h' is an isosceles trapczoidal prism, and the triangular panels a'-d'-f', g'-f'-a', d'-f'-g', and a'-d'-g' define a tetrahedron a'-d'-f'-g' whose edges a'-a", d'-f', f'-g', aki', a'-g', and d'-g' define six peripheral diagonals of the isosceles trapezoidal prism a'-b'-c'- '-e'-f'-g'-h'. Each end of each diagonal is coterminous with an end of each of two other diagonals.

As in the case of single paneled walls described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 3, double paneled walls may consist of straight and curving sections joined together in an abutting relationship provided that the requirements of equal height and thickness outlined above are met. Joining methods for double paneled walls are the same as for single paneled walls, and suitable means for joining are nails, screws, bolts etc. (not shown).

A further embodiment of a double paneled wall is shown in FIG. 6. Quadrilateral panels 23 and 29 are bent over ribs 30 and 31 to form a pillow like structure bounded by the sides of a rectangular parallelepiped i'- j'-k' l'-m'-n'-0'-p', and abutting edges of the panels 28 and 29 are fastened together by any conventional fastening means (not shown). Panels 28 and 29 are thus bent into cylindroidal shapes, and the edges of the panels define diagonals m'-j', j'-p', p'-k', and k'-m' Which are four peripheral diagonals of the parallelepiped z"-j'-k'-l'- m' n' 0'-p', each diagonal being coterminous with an end of another diagonal.

A structure m'-j'-k'-l' formed from panels 28 and 29 is the structural equivalent of a modular structure m-qt-v shown in FIG. 4, and can be used in the same way. The former structure is also stronger than the latter for a given weight and thickness of panels because the panels are curved in the former structure.

Any suitable building material panels can be used for panels28 and 29, but plywood and pressed-wood or composition panels are particularly appropriate. Rectangular panels may be bent in a jig of the outline m'-j'-k'-l' and their edges then trimmed to remove the excess extending beyond the boundaries m'-j'-k'-l'.

All the double paneled wall structures described above are suited for filling with insulating or sound proofing materials, or they may be left empty.

Both the single and double paneled walls may be placed between upper and lower plates 12 and 13, as shown in FIG. 1 or may be placed on any firm foundation. By the omission of modular structures at selected intervals, spaces for doors or ventilation are created. Any type of roof may be supported by the walls if building materials of appropriate strength are chosen, and no addi- 4 tional vertical framing is required for support of the walls.

Another embodiment of a modular alternating pyramidal wall is shown in FIG. 7. Framing members 32, such as poles, rods, tubes, pipes; channels, beams, or any other long stilf components are arranged between upper plates 33 and lower plates 34 to define triangular pyramidal shapes. In each pyramid, two side members 35 and a cross member 36 define a triangular pyramid wherein the side defined by the side members 35 is perpendieular to the base lying in the plane either of the upper plate 33 or lower plate 34.'

Framing members 32 may be fastened to upper plates 33 or lower plates 34 by any conventional fastening means (not shown). If a permanent installation is desired, concrete blocks (not shown) With suitable angular openings to receive framing members 32 may be used in lieu of a lower plate 34.

Alternate structures of the same general type as are shown in FIG. 7 include one in Which side members 35 are omitted from one side of the wall structure. This structure offers a cost advantage if there is no need for the strength of side members 35 on both sides. Fabric panels or panels of any other structural material may be fastened to the framing members or to some of them by conventional fastening means.

All the modular alternating pyramidal walls described above are suited for standing alone as a wall of any desired height, Within limits of the strength of available building materials, or a plurality of walls may be stacked one above the other to form a larger wall. If walls are stacked on each other, either the base edge of an upper wall may be fastened to the top edge of a lower wall or the upper plate 12 of a lower wall may serve as a lower plate 13 of an upper wall.

While several embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that certain changes and additions can be made by those Skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention.

I claim:

1. A load bearing structure having a first wall comprising a plurality of pairs of triangular members, each said pair defining two sides of a triangular pyramid, adjacent ones of said triangular pyramids having a common edge, the apex of any one of said triangular pyramids being in the plane of the base of an adjacent one of said triangular pyramids, the plane of the base of any one of said triangular pyramids being substantially parallel to the plane of .the base of an adjoining one of said triangular pyramids, the center of gravity of any one of said triangular pyramids falling within the base area defined by the two adjoining triangular pyramids, said base area constituting the area between a line connecting the inner set of base intersections of said adjoining pyramids and a second line connecting the outer set of base intersections of said adjoining pyramids.

2. The invention ofV claim 1 wherein each of said triangular members is a triangular plate of sheet material.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein each of said triangular members is defined by a perimeter member.

4. A load bearing structure having a first wall comprising struts arranged to define adjacent triangular pyramids, adjacent ones of said pyramids being inverted with respect to each other, the apex of any one of said triangular pyramids being in the plane of the base of an adjacent one of said triangular pyramids, the plane of the base of any one of said triangular pyramids being substantially parallel to the plane of the base of an adjoining one of said triangular pyramids, the center of gravity of any one of said triangular pyramids falling Within the wall base area defined by the two adjoining triangular pyramids, said wall base area constituting the area between an inner line connecting the inner set of base intersections of said adjoining pyramids and an outer line connecting the outer set of base intersections of said adjoining pyramids.

5. The load bearing structure of claim 4 further characterized by a second Wall having the same characteristics as said first Wall, said first and said second Walls being disposed relative to each other so that an edge of each of said triangular pyramids in said first Wall is common With an edge of a corresponding one of the triangular pyramids in said second Wall, the corresponding ones of said triangular pyramids of said first Wall and of said second Wall being inverted relative to each other.

6. The load bearing structure of claim 1 further characterized by a second Wall having the same characteristics as said first Wall, said first and said second Walls being disposed relative to each other so that an edge of each of said triangular pyramids in said first Wall is common with an edge of a corresponding one of the triangular pyramids in said second Wall, the corresponding ones of said triangular pyramids of said first Wall and of said second Wall being inverted relative to each other.

7. The load bearing structure of claim 6 Wherein each of said triangular members is a triangular plate of sheet material.

8. The load bearing structure of claim 6 Wherein each of said triangular members is defined by a perimeter 5 member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 10 2,284,898 Hartman June 2, 1942 2,549,189 Gabo Apr. 17, 1951 2,616,530 Horowitz Nov. 4, 1952 2,912,940 Baroni Nov. 17, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 15 347,879 Italy Apr. 24, 1937 564,940 Belgium Mar. 15, 1958 OTHER REFERENCES Progressive Architecture, July 1956, page 75, P/A new 20 survey. 

1. A LOAD BEARING STRUCTURE HAVING A FIRST WALL COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF PAIRS OF TRIANGULAR MEMBERS, EACH SAID PAIR DEFINING TWO SIDES OF A TRIANGULAR PYRAMID, ADJACENT ONES OF SAID TRIANGULAR PYRAMIDS HAVING A COMMON EDGE, THE APEX OF ANY ONE OF SAID TRIANGULAR PYRAMIDS BEING IN THE PLANE OF THE BASE OF AN ADJACENT ONE OF SAID TRIANGULAR PYRAMIDS, THE PLANE OF THE BASE OF ANY ONE OF SAID TRIANGULAR PYRAMIDS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO THE PLANE OF THE BASE OF AN ADJOINING ONE OF SAID TRIANGULAR PYRAMIDS, THE CENTER OF GRAVITY OF ANY ONE OF SAID TRIANGULAR PYRAMIDS FALLING WITHIN THE BASE AREA DEFINED BY THE TWO ADJOINING TRIANGULAR PYRAMIDS, SAID BASE AREA CONSTITUTING THE AREA BETWEEN A LINE CONNECTING THE INNER SET OF BASE INTERSECTIONS OF SAID ADJOINING PYRAMIDS AND A SECOND LINE CONNECTING THE OUTER SET OF BASE INTERSECTIONS OF SAID ADJOINING PYRAMIDS. 